Back to Wyoming

HB0139 • 2026

Exempting specified retail electric sales from regulation.

AN ACT relating to public utilities; specifying that the retail sale of electricity by specified persons to specified customers is exempt from regulation by the public service commission; making conforming amendments; specifying applicability; and providing for an effective date.

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Representative Filer
Last action
2026-02-11
Official status
inactive
Effective date
3/1/2026

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not provide details on the response time requirement for the Public Service Commission.

Exempting Certain Electricity Sales from Regulation

The bill exempts certain retail sales of electricity by specific sellers to specific buyers from regulation by the public service commission.

What This Bill Does

  • Specifies that some retail sales of electricity are not regulated by the Public Service Commission.
  • Exempts sales made by people who are not already considered public utilities under state law, cooperative electric utilities, or municipal-owned utilities.
  • Allows up to four customers with a combined load of at least five megawatts to be exempt if certain conditions are met.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Retail electricity sellers who meet specific criteria
  • Customers buying electricity from these sellers

Terms To Know

Public utility
A company that provides essential services like water, gas, or electricity to the public.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass and was introduced but failed on February 11, 2026.
  • It would have taken effect July 1, 2026, if it had passed.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-11 House

    H Failed Introduction 31-30-1-0-0

  2. 2026-02-10 House

    H Received for Introduction

  3. 2026-02-09 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
26LSO-0370
2026
STATE OF WYOMING
26LSO-0370
Numbered
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0139

Exempting specified retail electric sales from regulation.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Filer, Andrew, Davis, Geringer, Sherwood and Thayer and Senator(s) Love and Rothfuss

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to public utilities; specifying that the retail sale of electricity by specified persons to specified customers is exempt from regulation by the public service commission; making conforming amendments; specifying applicability; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 37
‑
1
‑
101(a)(vi)(H) by creating a new subdivision (XI) and 39
‑
15
‑
103(a)(i)(E) are amended to read:

37
‑
1
‑
101.

Definitions.

(a)

As used in chapters 1, 2, 3, 12, 17 and 18 of this title:

(vi)

"Public utility" means and includes every person that owns, operates, leases, controls or has power to operate, lease or control:

(H)

None of the provisions of this chapter shall apply to:

(XI)

The retail sale of electricity by a person who is not otherwise regulated as a public utility under this title, a cooperative electric utility defined in W.S. 37
‑
17
‑
101(a)(i) or a utility owned and operated by a municipality, to:

(1)

One (1) customer within the certificated service territory of a public utility, excluding a cooperative electric utility as defined by W.S. 37
‑
17
‑
101(a)(i) or a utility owned and operated by a municipality;

(2)

Not more than four (4) customers with a total combined electric load of not less than five (5) megawatts within the certificated service territory of a public utility, excluding a cooperative electric utility as defined by W.S. 37
‑
17
‑
101(a)(i) or a utility owned and operated by a municipality; or

(3)

Not more than four (4) customers within the certificated service territory of a public utility, subject to all of the following:

a.

The customers submit an application for new or additional electric service to the certificated public utility;

b.

The public utility does not respond to the customer's request with an evaluation of the request within six (6) months or the public utility determines that the public utility is unable to provide the requested service within one (1) year of the request or within another period as agreed upon by the public utility and the customer;

c.

The public utility and the customer cannot agree to a tariff, agreement or electric service agreement as provided in W.S. 37
‑
3
‑
116.

39
‑
15
‑
103.

Imposition.

(a)

Taxable event.

The following shall apply:

(i)

Except as provided by W.S. 39
‑
15
‑
105, there is levied an excise tax upon:

(E)

The sales price paid to public utilities as defined in W.S. 37
‑
1
‑
101 through 37
‑
3
‑
114 and to persons furnishing gas, electricity or heat for domestic, industrial or commercial consumption
, including persons that sell electricity and are not regulated as a public utility as provided in W.S. 37
‑
1
‑
101(a)(vi)(H)(XI)
;

Section 2
.

This act shall apply to all tariffs, contracts and other agreements entered into on and after the effective date of this act. Nothing in this act shall be construed to alter, amend or impair any agreement entered into before the effective date of this act, provided that nothing shall prohibit an electric customer or public utility from entering into or renewing an agreement, contract or tariff after the effective date of this act for the agreement, contract or tariff to conform with this act.

Section 3
.

This act is effective July 1, 2026
.

(END)

1
HB0139